City council approves tax rate

Lubbock City Council members needed only a brief meeting Tuesday to approve a proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.

Council members plan to maintain the same 58-cent rate per $100 valuation that was levied this year.

However, because increased property values will net an additional $961,386 from the same rate, the council is required to follow a public notification procedure that is akin to a tax hike.

The council is not expected to formally adopt a new rate until Aug. 26, but it must follow explicit laws on advertising and holding a public hearing on the proposed rate, which must be advertised as a tax increase.

Newspaper ads must be a prescribed size, with wording and type-size that adhere to statutory guidelines.

''I don't like the wording of the notice; it can be a little misleading,'' Councilman David Nelson said.

''But we have no choice in the matter.''

The 58-cent tax rate will bring in 2.76 percent more revenue than the same rate generates from the current tax roll.

A 57.78-cent rate next year would generate the same revenue as the current levy.

Police officers are slated to receive a 6-percent, across-the-board raise, and other city employees are to be eligible for an average 4-percent merit pay raise.

Civil service laws require police salaries to be adjusted by classification, rather than by individual employee.

Council members approved a resolution to advertise the 58-cent proposed property tax rate and set a public hearing on the rate for Aug. 12.

In other business, the council awarded a property tax abatement to Omni Office Center at 1206 14th St. for $4.27 million in renovations. The agreement will excuse $74,298 from the city's tax roll during the next five years.

The structural improvements and new equipment are to be added to the tax roll when the project is complete.

The council also amended the city's lease with Southwest Airlines Co., allowing the company to expand its office space at Lubbock International Airport. The additional 596 square feet is to generate an additional $8,117 in annual rent to the city.